After becoming a British Council certified teacher educator in 2018 for our National Teacher Training Programme in Egypt, May was chosen to co-ordinate Teach. Engage. Aspire. (TEA) in North Sinai. TEA is a partnership with the Ministry of Education and Al-Azhar. It aims to develop the English language and teaching skills of teachers and teacher educators like May, and stands out for its comprehensive approach to professional development, focusing on both cognitive knowledge and soft skills.
"Today, a competent teacher is knowledgeable, skillful, and sustainably improved," says May, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the programme. Being part of TEA introduced May to a vibrant community of practice – particularly in the remote governorate of North Sinai. "Being a teacher educator in North Sinai is a huge challenge," May explains. "The TEA programme granted knowledge to about 300 teachers in North Sinai with no cost of effort."
During the programme, teachers discussed "topics of great importance," says May, including "the differences between a leader and a manager, personality types, and the use of effective teaching strategies."
May credits the TEA programme with enriching both her professional and personal life. As well as being "more confident and competent in delivering knowledge," she now says her "teaching techniques are more varied and up to date" because of the experience. She is grateful too for the support provided by the programme management team, which was instrumental in her journey.
May’s story is just one example of the transformative power of education programmes in empowering educators and enhancing classroom practices. Through dedication and commitment, May and her colleagues continue to inspire and uplift the educational landscape of North Sinai and beyond.